By G. David Bokhart, Asst. S.I.D.

Quick Facts (.pdf file)

Forwards   Midfield   Defense   Goalkeeper   Schedule

After ending 2005 on the brink of advancing to the NAIA National Championships, head coach Ken Nuber and the Cougar women’s soccer team hope to use a penalty-kick loss to Cornerstone University in the NAIA Region VIII semifinals as motivation to complete the job this season and book a trip to Olathe, Kan., for the 2006 national tournament.

“That loss really hurt the team. We had the game won and then fell asleep in the final minutes,” Nuber said. “We improved in a lot of ways last season, but our mental toughness is an area of concern now as we look to put it all together.”

Leading USF to that end will be senior captain and four-year starter Michelle Austin, who has anchored a very stingy Cougar backline since her rookie campaign in 2003. As a junior, she and then sophomore goalkeeper Stacey Rider led a record-breaking defense which kept 13 opponents off the scoresheet and set a school-record consecutive scoreless-minutes streak. A capable nucleus of attacking players return, joined by the largest freshman class in recent memory, to form a championship-quality roster ready for the challenges of the Mid-Central Conference schedule and beyond.

Up front
Senior Nikki Castillo is the obvious choice to become USF’s go-to player in the final third. She netted five goals a year ago and has a knack for scoring in the biggest matches, as evidenced by her strike in a 1-0 win over Indiana Wesleyan University in the MCC Final. Junior Abby Bigelow has match-changing ability off the bench and as an occasional starter with six goals in her career. “Nikki and Abby have good speed and provide timely goals, which are important to take pressure off the midfield,” Nuber said.

A number of newcomers could see time at forward or as wingers in Nuber’s system, including record-setting local prep scorers Kendra Reimer and Sarah Thieme. Kara Hoover and Katie Pyle could work into the lineup as they gain experience.

Midfield
USF’s leading returning scorers are central midfielders Laura Leffers, a junior, and sophomore Mary Whisler, who combined for 15 goals and 17 assists in 2005. Leffers is good when joining the attack from deep positions and over the ball on set pieces while Whisler makes her impact controlling the pace of the game and distributing the ball effectively. Oft-injured junior Megan Garrett is likely to join the aforementioned pair in the middle as her health allows. Another junior, Ashley Henry, possesses a flair for the dramatic, with two of her three goals in 2005 game-winners, the other coming in the Region VIII Tournament. If Garrett cannot shake the injury bug, freshman Jessica Taghon is a likely replacement in the starting 11.

Senior Alex Hornstein and sophomore Alissa Werst are used primarily out wide. Hornstein, also a regional-level runner on USF’s cross country team, has 90-minute endurance and Werst is one of the top strikers of the ball on the team.

“Our midfield could be our strength if it plays anywhere close to its ability,” Nuber said. “Our veterans alone place us among the best in the region and our freshman will only add to that.”

Memphis, Tenn., native Hilary Powers and Leo High School grad Brittany Fowler are natural frontrunners with a proven goal-scoring rate, but could make their mark in midfield for the Cougars. Other rookies Liz Hamman, Michelle Kern, Nicole LaBonne and Rachel Schaeffer also are keen to join to the competition for minutes.

Defense
Austin will lead USF from the back for the fourth-straight year. Her experience will be supported by the return of 2004 starter Jane Kinney, who missed the entire 2005 season with a leg injury, and returning starter Kelli Linson.  Kinney started 19 of 21 games her rookie campaign two seasons ago while Linson contributed 16 starts in 20 appearances in ’05. Kinney will solidify what was a right side “by committee” a year ago and Linson will slide into a central role or play wide on the left.

“Jane is all the way back from her injury and ready to get back on the field,” Nuber said. “Her fitness and strength are night and day from her first year and she could be among the best marking backs in the league. Kelli has a lot of versatility and will fit in wherever we need her.”

The rest of the defensive unit will be made up of freshman. Mishawaka, Ind., native Kara Schultheis is the early favorite to earn the final spot in the back four. She earned Most Outstanding Player and Defender honors from the Michiana Soccer Referee Association as a prep senior has shown comfort in central or wide positions. Local product Kristen Sloffer is another candidate for immediate playing time. Sloffer showcased her athleticism at nearby Carroll High School while earning All-Northeast Hoosier Conference and ISCA District 2 recognition.

Allesha Lattimer and Morgan Roy round out Nuber’s defensive choices.

“Michelle will really be challenged to lead a young group of defenders,” Nuber said. “Her experience and communication will make the young players better and she should have a great senior year.”

Goalkeepers
A relative unknown before the 2004 Mid-Central Conference Tournament, Rider has emerged as one of the most technically sound goalkeepers in NAIA Region VIII. She earned both First Team All-MCC and All-NAIA Region VIII honors last year while setting the single-season record for shutouts with 13.

“Stacey has come a long way and the team has unconditional confidence in her ability,” Nuber said. “Her experiences last year will only make her better as we continually raise our standards.”

Sarah Schlotterback will back up Rider and will use the season adjusting to the demands of intercollegiate competition.

Schedule
As is typical for the USF program, with finished 15-5-1 in ’05, the 2006 schedule features many of the top teams in the region and beyond. The slate opens at home August 22 against Wolverine-Hoosier Conference foe Siena Heights University and continues August 25 and 26 with the annual Cougar Cup at Bishop John M. D’Arcy Stadium. USF will match up with Saint Xavier University and University of Mobile (Ala.) in the event.

The non-conference schedule continues August 29 and September 1 with visits to Michigan neighbors Aquinas College and Madonna University, each also members of the competitive Wolverine-Hoosier Conference. University of Saint Francis (Ill.) visits its namesake Sept. 3 and three Ohio schools, Malone College, Walsh University and Cedarville University take USF into Mid-Central Conference play.

“Our pre-conference schedule will challenge us as we develop for another strong late-season push,” Nuber said. “All of the games will be up for grabs and put our young players in competitive situations right from the outset.” 

MCC play opens with perennial title challenger and 2005 Region VIII champion Indiana Wesleyan University September 19 and concludes October 17 at Marian College. Other notable league dates include a September 22 showdown at Bethel College and an October 3 home match with nemesis Spring Arbor University. USF finished 6-2 in the MCC last year, losing 1-0 games at Indiana Wesleyan and Spring Arbor, before rebounding to capture the MCC Tournament crown with a 1-0 win at Wesleyan.

“I really am excited about the season, particularly because of the depth we expect at each position. We have a number of young and returning players with the right mentality that will work to achieve a high level,” Nuber said. “I am cautiously optimistic this is the year we can break through to the national level.”

- Go USF -